F3 Dallara 396

[tech racing]

G'day all,

I am considering purchasing a Dallara 396 (or a 301 if the budget stretches that far) as my first exposure to 'wings and slicks' (I have no expectations of setting the world on fire but just want to have some fun at a club/state level without getting lapped!!) does anyone have any advice on what to lookout for in a car during the purchase/inspection process.

rgds

[JohnMiller]

Make sure you get the fllor of the car removed so you can have a good look at the bottom of the tub, as well as inside. Pay particular attention to the step below the drivers knees and look for cracking / delaminating.

The F399 chassis is better than the F395 one, and also much better for accomodating the larger driver.

[tristancliffe]

Other than what John suggests - something most sellers would baulk at I would have thought, as there is a fair bit of work to remove the front floor on a 95 car - just the usual stuff really.

Bodywork - particularly around fasteners and exhausts
Suspension - including bolts - Dallara used aero quality bolts for the suspension, and only a fool would use normal bolts or capheads here. They're not cheap, so make sure they're already present and don't look too knackered. Also worth peering at the monoshock (does it look tidy or abused).
Engine - check the mounts to the tub and the top plate, and to the bellhousing for signs of butchering. If the car uses A-frames (some did to avoid blocks cracking, not to increase chassis stiffness) make sure they are present and would actually do something.

Dallara F3 cars were (are) very well made, and the ideal car would still be a thing of engineering beauty. Anything that looks a bit shoddy probably means it's been badly looked after - e.g. coil mounts made of 18 guage steel and a few spot welds that wobbles when you touch it - if that's the work the person has done, then what else has he touched?

[JohnMiller]

Originally Posted by tristancliffe

Other than what John suggests - something most sellers would baulk at I would have thought, as there is a fair bit of work to remove the front floor on a 95 car - just the usual stuff really.

Maybe. But I guess it depends how much they want to sell it, and also what they know is under there!

[tristancliffe]

Yes, I suppose it does. But it's radiators, ducts, plank, rear floor, barge boards... Perfectly possible, but not a 5 minute job. I would certainly think twice about doing it for a customer until I was desperate and/or they've been to visit the car before... I wouldn't offer to do it for everyone.

If it was me I'd rather still see the complete car AS WELL, but both in one visit is asking a lot.

And I say this as someone who bought a Dallara and found the tub cracked (although that was actually one of the minor faults it turned out).

[JohnMiller]

They are all cracked, and not expensive to repair. But you should be able to get the front floor off without taking all that other crap off.

[tristancliffe]

Hmmm, but the radiators sit on the floor (nothing else supports them), the rear floor has to come off to disengage from the front... Maybe you can, but I've never bothered to try

[driftwood]

the truth is John has never had to do the work himself he tells the mechanic to take the floor off so its easy
Realistically TC your rihght a man selling a car is not going to take the floor off cos some buyer has said i want to see teh front of the tub. Take your own man and do it yourself and refit it it is what i would say
Tech racing is an ozzie so he is looking at running local Oz F3 race or club event
395 is a fine car if your sub 90kg less than 5ft 11
cars will be cheaper
the 97 car is wider in the tub and more suitable to 6ft-1/2 guy ( just)
399-01 is bigger in tub due to head support and has abit more room for a tall driver so long as he has less than size 12 feet
Buy a car with an engine in it or a fitting kit for a motor you can go and buy tomorrow If you buy mugen car and want to fit renault kiss goodbye to £4k in fitting kit purchase and time swapping everything over

I have 399 mugen car and i HAD the opel fitting kit but still a task to swap engine kits over then get starter exhaust
I have all the dallara parts for 95-04 cars i know what fits what doesnt what it costs and Ive had 95 97 99 cars
I have 97 and 99 cars for sale what else do you want to know about a dallara?

[tech racing]

Thanks for the considered replys it is appreciated

rgds

[driftwood]

do you want my address to ship over some of that cold beer you sell down there?

[darcia2]

Hi tech pm me.. ive gone through this process im local to you ...and bought a carfrom overseas... and know the pros and cons..look forward to hear from u Darcia2.....

[driftwood]

PM me i know the problems i sell cars to Oz every year!